Bologna’s difficult start to their European campaign continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa in England. The Italian side, under the management of Vincenzo Italiano, has now failed to score in their Champions League matches, following a loss to Liverpool and a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.
The match at Villa Park saw Bologna create some early chances, with Kacper Urbanski missing the target and Dan Ndoye setting up Thijs Dallinga for a shot that tested Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Riccardo Orsolini also had an opportunity, though he may have been offside when he forced another save from Martinez.
Aston Villa, enjoying a strong season with only one defeat prior to this match, gradually took control. Lukasz Skorupski in the Bologna goal was called into action several times, denying John Duran and John McGinn in the first half, and making a crucial save against Morgan Rogers just before the break.
The deadlock was broken in the second half through an unusual goal from John McGinn. His free-kick, intended as a cross, evaded everyone and found its way into the far corner. Bologna felt aggrieved as the free-kick resulted from a Remo Freuler tackle that appeared to win the ball cleanly.
Bologna came close to equalizing when Sam Beukema’s header from a corner struck the woodwork, but their search for a first Champions League goal this season continued in vain. The match was sealed by Jhon Duran, who added a second for Villa.
This result leaves Bologna with just one win in ten matches across all competitions, highlighting their struggles to find form both domestically and in Europe. For Aston Villa, it marks another impressive performance in what has been a strong start to their season both in England and on the continent.
Goals: McGinn 55 (A), Duran 64 (A)
Aston Villa (4-4-2): Martinez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Maatsen; McGinn (66′ Philogene), Onana (46′ Barkley), Tielemans (78′ Kamara), Bailey (66′ Ramsey); Rogers, Duran.
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Fabbian; Orsolini (46′ Odgaard), Urbanski (66′ Moro), Ndoye (77′ Iling-Junior); Dallinga (66′ Castro).
